View Full Version : Eastern PA suggestions
Chubbs4U
09-30-2013, 15:20
A couple of us are doing an impromptu hike. Looking at possibly the Pinchot trail or old loggers path. Most of us coming from Philadelphia area. Any other trails, thoughts or ideas? Thanks.
da fungo
09-30-2013, 17:57
Pine Creek Trail in north central PA.
Wise Old Owl
09-30-2013, 23:16
Pine creek is best on bike wheels.
dirtypaws
09-30-2013, 23:37
I've done the trail around Gifford Pinchot a half dozen times and I like it, but it does have its downsides - 1 climb over a guardrail and 2 highway bridge crossings for the lakeside trail. However it's a good 10 mile loop. WHen I feel like driving I go out to Pine Grove furnace and hit the AT from there. a little far for philly, but with the Pole Steeple overlook (2.5 miles northbound out of the park) it's got some beautiful views.
The Solemates
09-30-2013, 23:48
not sure what you mean by eastern - but the mid state trail is nice, especially in the north central part of the state
I've done both the Pinchot Trail and the Old Loggers Path. Both are great trails. Pinchot doesn't really have much elevation change, but has great campsites along Choke Creek. This trail can be done in two days. OLP has a few elevation changes, rattlesnakes, and amazing runs/water holes, particularly at Rock Run/Yello Dog Run. If you do the OLP, I highly recommend hiking counter-clockwise. A friend and I did this in 2.5 days; we only went ~6.3 miles the first day just to camp next to the Rock Run. Here's some trail details for both:
http://www.midatlantichikes.com/pinchottr.htm
http://midatlantichikes.com/oldloggerspath.htm
jmitchell
10-01-2013, 17:28
Both are very nice, although the OLP is generally considered a better trail. Rock Run is amazing.
The Loyalsock-Link Loop is also a perfect weekend loop.
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_010612.pdf
Chubbs4U
10-02-2013, 01:49
Hey Chall,
If that is your site, I really like your reviews and the like for all the trails you guys do, very informative. I have actually printed the Pinchot stuff from your post and a few of us are doing that trail starting tomorrow.
Hey Chall,
If that is your site, I really like your reviews and the like for all the trails you guys do, very informative. I have actually printed the Pinchot stuff from your post and a few of us are doing that trail starting tomorrow.
Can't take credit for that site...not mine!! But that is my go-to site for reading up on PA trails. The site has been tremendously helpful in trip planning.
I've done the trail around Gifford Pinchot a half dozen times and I like it, but it does have its downsides - 1 climb over a guardrail and 2 highway bridge crossings for the lakeside trail. However it's a good 10 mile loop. WHen I feel like driving I go out to Pine Grove furnace and hit the AT from there. a little far for philly, but with the Pole Steeple overlook (2.5 miles northbound out of the park) it's got some beautiful views.
FYI, the Pinchot Trail backpacking loop http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/recreation/hiking/stateforesttrails/pinchottrail/ is nowhere near Gifford Pinchot State Park http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/giffordpinchot/
jmitchell
10-02-2013, 16:52
Have fun on the Pinchot Trail. Choke Creek is very nice with great camping. I also like the rhododendron tunnels. Be sure to include the view from Big Pine Hill. Easy trail with some rocky areas.
Have fun on the Pinchot Trail. Choke Creek is very nice with great camping. I also like the rhododendron tunnels. Be sure to include the view from Big Pine Hill. Easy trail with some rocky areas.
Definitely include Big Pine Hill. When my friends and I did the Pinchot, we included this as well. When we got to the parking area at the bottom of the hill, a guy, who was absolutely hammered drunk, stumbled out of his car and approached us. He was making talking nonsense to us, and at one point, I thought he was going to try to hit me because he was trying to come with us up to Big Pine, and we were like uhhh...no. When we came back to the parking lot after hanging out at Big Pine, he and his car was gone. :eek:
I did the Pinchot south loop as my one-night reintroduction to backpacking late August 2013. It was perfect for that purpose.
Also, I can heartily confirm that the campsites along Choke Creek are, indeed, really nice.
Blue Mountain Edward
01-24-2014, 16:03
Schuykill River trail but be aware it is not completed yet. It will take you to Port Clinton with some road/ train track walking. Probaly best on a bike.